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#ChooseUP event a success

6 August 2018

An air of excitement and festivity was felt throughout the campuses of the University of Pretoria (UP) at the #ChooseUP event, which took place on Saturday, 4 August. Approximately 12 000 Grade 12 learners and their families visited the university, to finalise their applications and confirm their acceptance for admission into first year in 2019.

Prospective students travelled from areas including Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, White River and Polokwane and spent time on the campuses, interacting with faculty staff about the degrees they intend pursuing; residence life; and extra-mural activities on offer.

Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof Vasu Reddy addressed prospective students and parents.

The nine faculties on five campuses exhibited their academic, sport and cultural offerings with information sessions lead by senior faculty members. Furthermore, representatives of various residences spoke to prospective students, parents and guardians about their experiences; while there were tours of the campus and libraries. Prospective students were also able to get a feel of UP’s teaching model by attending mock lectures.

The event trended on Twitter at number two on TrendWiki South Africa and at four and five on TrendMap SA.

Comments from UP’s Facebook page included:

Nosipho Jonas – “I was as thoroughly impressed .. The Faculty of Humanities Dean’s session was amazing.. …Dean, I’m most definitely there next year.”

Lina Da Cruz – “Lovely university and lovely campus, sat in a few of the lectures today with my daughter, felt like I was back in school.”

Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Prof Tiaan de Jager addressed prospective students and their families.

Shrikesh Maharaj (18) from Raisethorpe Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg, has applied to study Aeronautical Engineering at UP as he believes it is a “prestigious university, in a beautiful setting”. Wanting to pursue a career in propulsion, after spending just three hours on the Hatfield campus, he was sure about his decision to attend UP. His mother Ishara said “his mind is made up. He’s coming here.” She said she was anxious about Shrikesh moving to Gauteng, so she and her husband Praniel wanted to see the campus first. “It is a beautiful campus and people are very helpful. If you are lost, they can see that and they help you,” she said. Her family is now looking for accommodation for Shrikesh.

Ishara, Shrikesh and Praniel Maharaj from Pietermaritzburg.

Parent Corah Melato from the Vaal, could hardly contain her admiration for the campus. “Oooo! It’s a beautiful environment. It has open spaces and it’s nice and clean,” she smiled, adding “my daughter chose this campus and I want the best for her.” Her daughter, Sizakele (17) who attends Masibambane College in Orange Farm has applied to study for a BSc degree in Agricultural Economics as she is interested in food security. “I am interested in the processing of food and want to be involved in the better production of it,” said Sizakele.

She explained that only a few universities have faculties of natural and agricultural sciences. “I started researching the University of Pretoria from Grade 10 and fell in love with it. I love the natural sciences and while I applied to other universities, I know in my heart I am meant to be here,” she said.

Awestruck by how professional UP students look “in their smart university blazers”, she said “this inspires me. Being here gives me hope that I will make a difference in the future.”

Sizakele and Corah Melato with four-year-old Thando on the Hatfield Campus.

Ashleigh Teixeira (18) from St Dominics in Boksburg has applied to study for a BCom degree in Investment Management and was encouraged by her older sister, Shannon who stayed at residence, to come to UP. “My sister told me how nice it is here. UP is known to be the best university in the country.” She explained that staff “are professional and we feel as though we are part of the UP community even before becoming a student”. Ashleigh has had interactions with UP’s school recruitment team and the Junior Tukkie Club, which provides academic and leadership mentoring to top performing learners.

Her friend, Fabio Miranda (18) from Christian Brothers College, Boksburg also wants to study for the same degree, indicating that he “heard about the good culture on the campus. There is a good vibe and good student life. This is a welcoming place and it is easy to feel accepted.”

He was full of praise for the UP school recruitment team that visited his school last year and this year. “They seemed interested in me and I feel valued. We heard how good the courses are and we saw videos of the campus.”

Ashleigh Teixeira and Fabio Miranda

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Tiane de Bod from Midstream College in Centurion, has applied to study for a BCom Law degree, and is excited to be “coming to UP. My mom studied here. It is a brilliant university and I am excited about meeting new people,” she said.

Her mother, Sharon said “I am very proud about my time at UP and Tiane is now going to be here and hopefully my son will come in two years. I have many good memories of UP and loved it and hope she has the same experience.”

Students representing the Lilium residence on the Education Campus.

A family from Egypt, whose daughter, Fadwa Salem is set to study dentistry gave UP a thumps up. Salama Salem said “the weather was warm but the people were warmer” and that UP had treated his family with dignity and respect.

He said Africans go looking to Europe for universities but “everybody should come to UP” for the humanity he has experienced.

Prospective students at the Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort.

The University ran a bursary competition for prospective students during the #ChooseUP event and 90 bursaries were drawn at the faculties to the value of R10 000 each . Eight bursaries of R15 000 each were drawn for student contracts submitted on time.